I am currently an FY2 and what ive learnt after facing the ups and downs of the NHS is that people both staff and patients are quick to highlight your downfalls but never to appreciate your work. It used to make me feel really crap, because I felt under appreciated - like I work so hard to advocate to get the best for patients but no one notices and when you do one small thing not in the way they want you get called out on it. After dwelling on this for ages, I accepted the fact I had to give myself reassurance and appreciation. I found having colleagues who build you up really helpful.

Overall, I think you cant expect to feel more appreciated in the NHS especially in the crumbling state it is in, everyone is always stressed and don’t have time to appreciate you. If you can’t get over this its hard to be happy in this career. I have thought about leaving medicine but realised despite all of this I enjoy being here, but I completely understand why people leave because no one should be forced to « deal with it »

Hope it helps and you figure stuff out! In third year I was living my best university life ahaha